Ohio law offers an affirmative defense for tobacco sellers who verify IDs and follow policies, protecting them from underage sale charges.
Ohio law provides an affirmative defense for sellers of cigarettes, tobacco, or nicotine products against age-related violations if they verify the purchaser’s ID and conduct a valid transaction scan. Sellers must demonstrate they reasonably relied on valid identification and follow their written policies. This law aims to protect sellers who follow proper procedures from liability for underage sales.
It allows sellers to avoid liability if they can prove they verified the purchaser’s ID and followed proper procedures when selling tobacco or nicotine products.
Sellers must ensure the purchaser presented a valid ID, conduct a transaction scan indicating the ID’s validity, and follow their written policies.
Yes, employees and agents acting within the scope of their employment and following procedures are protected under this law if they meet the criteria.
The trier of fact considers the seller’s written policies aimed at preventing underage sales when determining if the affirmative defense applies.
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In simple terms: Ohio law offers an affirmative defense for tobacco sellers who verify IDs and follow policies, protecting them from underage sale charges.. This means people must follow this rule, and breaking it can lead to criminal penalties.